Finding America's Voice: A Strategy for Reinvigorating U.S. Public Diplomacy

Task Force Chair, Peter G. Peterson.

Full report text,
18 September 2003

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Public Diplomacy Steps Taken Since 9/11 Not Enough; Council Task Force Urges the Bush Administration to Counter America's Deteriorating Image as Anger at U.S. Deepens Post-Iraq War

September 18, 2003 - World opinion of the United States and U.S. policy has plummeted in the wake of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. The resulting widespread anger, fear, and mistrust, warns the Council-sponsored Independent Task Force on Public Diplomacy, are creating immediate and long-term problems for the United States that must be addressed urgently.

The Task Force, which first issued a report after September 11, points to evidence that, despite administration efforts, anti-Americanism is more widespread and dangerous than ever. The consequences are substantial, ranging from the difficulty faced by the Bush administration in forming a coalition for U.S. efforts in Iraq, to the increase of new terrorist attacks on American interests, to strained relations with its transatlantic partners.

The Task Force recommends the immediate integration of public diplomacy into the foreign policymaking process rather than just trying to explain policies after the fact--present at the "take offs, not just the crash landings." Failure to take this and other steps will make it more difficult for the United States to maintain the war against terror and other policy undertakings, the Task Force concludes.

See CFR's press release or full report text.

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